Fire-alarm signaling system



April 15 1924. 1,490,573 w J. LUE v FIRE ALARM smmbmefsvswm Eiled June s, 1920 ZTTORNEYS i 'has broken out in a particular locality,

. telephone 'New York city, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have intending the zone of the protection.

"drawings.

Patented Apr.' 15 19 24.

UNITED STATES wrLLrAM J'; LUSE, or New You, a. "Y.

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Applicationma June a,

" To all whom it'ma-y concern:

Beit known that 1, WILLIAM JLUSE, a citizen .of the United States, residing at vented a certain new and useful Fire-Alarm. Signaling System, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionis .a fire alarm signaling .system and ,is more particularly a system embodying improvements on my prior invention described and claimed in Patent No. 1,344,701, granted June 29, 1920. The object of both inventions, speaking generally, is the notification of a centre station, e. g., a telephone oflice, that afire wherein the signaling apparatus is installed. In the prior construction, the apparatus was constituted to operate in apurely mechanical way, whereas in the present invention, the apparatus is electrically controlled through the employment of novel electrical means.

The underlying principle of my inventions is to associate'with a telephone instrument, phonographic means capable of being brou ht into operation by an appreciable rise in temperature, such as would be produced by fire, either in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus, or Within any part 0 the building, apartment or ofiice, with which the apparatus is operatively connected. My inventions further embody means normally maintaining the telephone instrument inoperative, but renderin the same operative in the event of fire, so tiat when the phonographic means is brought into operation automatically by the starting of a fire, the instrument is simultaneously rendered effective to transmit the alarm to a central ofiice. I

The object of the present invention is to effectively control the operation'of the apparatus by electrical means, thereby facilitating the installation of the same and Tr?- is being possible through'the employment of electricity of a much greater degree than is possible through the employment of purely in conjunction with the accompanying pne practical embodiment iparatus enclose Positioned within the box 1; is a phono- 19,26. Serial a... 387,287.

f The accompanying drawings illustrate of t e invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative,only, and-not as defining the'limits of the invention.

,Figure 1' is "a. more or less diagrammatic view of the invention; and,

Figure 2 is a perspectiveview ofone of the details of construction of the apparatus.

Referrin to the drawings, 1 is abox or housing a apted'to be "positioned in any suitable place, and may, if desired, be secured to thewa ll ofthe building interiorly thereof. The box 1 may be of wood, metal or any other material'- desirdd and simply forms a housin forfthe mechanism or aptherein.

graphic instrument 2, hereshown as mounted on brackets 3.. The instrument 2 is of conventional formand embodies, among other details, the usual turn table t'jforsupportingthe record. The record preferably embodies the following sentence, or some other appropriate alarm repeated over and over for the full scope of the record; Central notify fire headquarters, 1600 Rliinelander, that there isa fire at 312 WV. 20th St, fourth floor rear.

A tone arm 5 carries a soundbox-(i, which f cooperates with the record when the in'strument is operating for the purpose of delivering sounds to an outlet 7 with which the tone arm 5 is connected.

Also mounted interiorly of the box as on a'shelf 8 is'a telephone instrument 9, also of conventional form provided with the usual hook 10 adapted to supportthe receiver 11. The telephone is connected through suitable electrical connections either.,with the telephone central oflice as usual, or with any suitable central ofiice, suchas the oflicetof the police or fire department central or the like. It will be noted that in Figure lthe telephone instrument is so positioned in the box that the mouth of the transmitter 12 is directly adjacent and in alinement with the outlet 7 of the tone arm, so that if the phonograph is put into operation and the hook 10 of the telephone instrument raised, the sounds produced by the phonograph will be transmitted through the telephone instrument to the central oflice.

As stated, the receiver hook 10 of the telephone instrument is normally depressed b the weight of the receiver 11, but is adapte phoneinstrument operative. The weight 15 is normally, however, maintained in a raised position by means of anelectrically operated trip adapted, to be released in the event of fire. This tri is shown as embodying a hinge 16, one eaf'17 of whichis secured to a bracket18-on the box-land the other leaf 19 of which is bifurcated. or slotted at 20 to allow of the passage of the flexible connecv of said leaf to enter a notch 25 .in the armation 13 therethrough. The free end of the bifurcated leaf 19' is adapted to cooperate with. the arm'ature21 of an electro'magnet 22. The armature 21 is pivoted toa fixed part 23 and a spring-24 normally im'pels the armature 2J,:.. into engagement with the end of the bifurcated leaf-.19, causing the end ture 21 as shown. -The parts are so constituted, however, that if the magnet 22 is ener gized, the armature will be drawn toward the same and away from the leaf '19 withthe result that the latter will-become disengaged and is free to gravitate into the dotted line position in Figure 2.- P

'The flexible connectionlii has associated therewith a ball or knob 26 firmly fixed thereon and of such size as to normally rest upon the bifurcated leaf 19 of the andfby such engagement sup ort the weight 15,150 that it 18 not impo upon the hook 10fof the telephone instrument. However, if the magnet 22 is energized and releases thebifurcated leafof the :hinge as specified, the weight 15' will be'imposed upon the hook 1-0 and thereby bring the telephone into operative condition. As the operation of the'apparatus of this invention epends upon the conjoint operatlon of both the telephone and phonographic instruments, the wei ht 15 is so'organized as to render both of t ese instruments simultaneously operative. This may be accomplished in several ways, but as shown, the

phonograph is controlled through flr-flQXlblB I connection 27 which is secured to the weiglrt, those skilled in the art. It is also within 15 at one end, passe; over directional pulleys 28 and is secured at its, other end to the brake 29 of the phonograph. .This brake is so constituted that it normally brakes the phonograph, but is ada ted, when tension is placed upon the flexib e.connection 27, to

release the phono'graph for operation and- .efi'ect the immediate starting of .the same.

It will thus-a pear that thereleasing .of the weight by tiema'gnet 22 as described will instantly place both flexible connections 27 and 13 under tension and simultaneously start the phonograph and condition the telephone instrument to receive and transmit the message conveyed thereto by the phonograph.

Associated with the electromagnet 22 is an 1 electrical circuit 30 fedfrom any suitable source of electrical energy, here shown as dry batteries 31, although such energy may be supplied from street currentor by any suitable means. The circuit 30 may lead through various parts'of the buildingyr to any other enclosure which it is desired to protect against fire, and at suitable intervals or suitable points in said circuit thertection of the system, the thermostatic reg- In the event ulator in the vicinity will serve to complete the circuit 30, energize the magnet 22 and cause the giving of the alarm. I may also associate with thecircuit 30, a shunt circuit 33, in which is included a bell or buzzer 34 positioned at any desired point. This shunt cricuit is, however, normally broken at a knife switch 35 positioned directly below the weight 15. When the weight drops, it will -automatically close the-"knife switch 35 and effect the ringing offlthe bell 34, so that the alarm will not onlyihe given at the central office, but also atg-the'point where the bell 34: is located. It thus appear that the present invention embodies not only the modification of a central office, but also thef giving of a local alarm,

In ractically carrying out the present invention, the phonograph instrument 2 may be of anyone of. many conventional types. In the form shown it is of the type embodying a springmotor which may be wound up and in condition to operate the instrument as soon as the brake is released. I may, however, operate the phonograph instrument from an electric motor in which to the brake 29 of the instrument may simply lead to an open switch in the motor circuit. As motor operated phonog'raphic instruments are common in the art, I have not considered it necessary to show the samein the construction, as the arrangement described will be, well understood by the scope of the present invention to'em ploy a motor operated phonographic instrument and include the motor in the circuit appear that in the event of fire an alarm will hone instrument and at the same time, a.

ocal alarm will be given by the bell 34 and this alarm will be substantially continuous.

In practice, I preferably associate with the phonograph any one of-several well known forms of repeater, so that the record will be played over and over until thespring motor runs down It is not desirable, however, that the telephone instrument should be operating indefinitely and, accordingly, I include in the flexible connection 13 a fusible link 36, so that if the fire commences to burn about the box 1, the fusible link 36 will melt, allow the hook 10 of the telephone to descend and break the telephone circuit. The. box 1 is preferably made of metal so as to preclude the contents thereof against fire in the immediate vicinit W ile the presentinvention is particular- 1y adapted for notification of fire, it may be also ada ted for use as a burglar alarm by simply cianging the-record to embod appropriate phraseology and instead 0 employing thermostatic switches 32, the circuit be led through the building in a concea ed manner and suitable windows, door or manually controlled switches associated therewith. In this event, the bell '34 may be employed or sired.

It will be noted that the present invention as described does not,-in any way, form an encumbrance to the telephone instrument or necessitate a change in the construction therein. In fact, if the door provided in the box 1 is opened, connection 13 ma be. disengaged from the telephone hook an the telephone mabe then removed from the dispensed with as de- -box and emp oyed in the usual manner to carry on a conversation. The outlet 7 of-the tone arm is not attached to the mouthpiece 12 of the transmitter, but simply positioned immediately adjacent thereto. 7

Havin thusfully described the invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. An apparatus of the class described embodying a phonograph, a telephone instrument positioned with the transmitter thereof adjacent the-outlet of the tone arm of the phone ra h, tension means associated with the te ep one instrument and weighted to lift the receiver hook of the telephone in= strument when the weight is imposed upon the tension means,-means for normally holding said weight in restraint, electrical means for releasin said weight, and means also associated wit the weight and operable thereby to start the phonograph when the weight is released, in combination with a local cireuit embodying a local alarm, and a controlling switch, said switch being positioned in the path of the weight and adapted to be actuated thereby when the weight is released to close the local circuit and cause the giving of the alarm. I

2. An apparatus of the class described embodying a normally inoperative phono' graph, a normally inoperative telephone in strument positioned with its transmitter in cooperative relation to thesound outlet ofthe tone arm of the phono ra h, a weight operativelv associated with iotli the phonograph and'the telephone instrument and ada ted, when released, to simultaneously 'ren er both the phonograph and telephone instrument operative, means for normally maintaining the weight in restraint, electrical means for releasing the wei ht,'a normally open operating circuit, 'an ,a switch adapted to complete the circuit for the purpose of energizing the electrical means to eifect the release ofthe weight, in combination with a local circuit embodyinga local alarm, and a controlling switch, said switch being ositioned in the path of the weight fand a a ted to be actuated thereby when the wei t is released to close the'local circuit an cause the giving of the. alarm.

3. An apparatus 'of the class described enibodying a normally-inoperative phonograph, 11 normally inoperative telephone instrument positioned with its transmitter in cooperative relation to the sound outlet of operativelv associated with th the phonograph an the telephone instrument and ada ted, when" released, to simultaneously ren er both the phonograph and telephone instrument operative, means fornormally the tone arm of the phono aph, a weight I I when released, descend upon the switch and cause the closing thereof for the pur ose of completing the circuit to the local a arm.v

4. An apparatus of the class described embodying a normally inoperative phonograph, a normally inoperative telephone instrument positioned. with itsltransmitter in cooperative relation to the sound outlet of the tohe arm-of the phonograph, a weight operatively associated with both'the phonograph and the telephone instrument and adapted, when released, to simultaneously render both the phonograph and telephone instrument. operative, means for normally maintaining .the weight in restraint, electrical means for releasing the wei ht, a normally open operatin circuit, an a switch adapted to be closed or the purpose of enerment positioned with its transmitter in operative relation to the sound-outlet'of the tone arm of thephonograph instrument, a

mechanical connection, associated with the telephone instrument .for controlling its operativeness, a common weight associated with both mechanical connections, means for normally keeping theload of the weight elf of both mechanical'connections, andelectrical means for imposingthe load of the weight upon the flexible connections for the purpose 0 simultaneously rendering the phonoraphand telephone instrument operative in combination with a normall Iopen switch positioned within the path 0 the released weight and normally free from engagement therewith, a local alarm, and a circuit in:

cluding the switch and local alarm whereby the we1ght','when released, will descend u on the switch and efiect the closin thereo to complete the circuit to the loca alarm.

6. An apparatus of the class described embod a phonograph instrument, amechanica connection.- oontrolling the operationof said instrument, a telephone instrument positionedwith its transmitter in cooperativerelation to the sound outlet of the tone arm of the phonograph instrument, a mechanical connection, associated with the telephone instrument for controlling its operat1veness, a common weight associated with both mechanical connections means for normally kee ing the load of t e wei ht 'ofi of both mec amcal connections, an electri cally operated means for im osing the load of the weight upon the flexi 1e connections for the purpose of simultaneously rendering the phonograph and telephone instrument operative, in combination with "a normally open electrical circuit embodying an alarm,

and means included in said circuit and adapted to be en aged by the released weight to complete sai circuit for the purpose of efiecting operation of the alarm.

7. An apparatus of the class described embodyin a phonograph instrument, a me chanica connection controlling the operation of said instrument, a telephone instrument sitioned with its transmitter in cooperative relation to the sound outlet of the tone arm of the phonograph instrument, .a mechanical connection, associated withthe telephone instrument for controlling its operativeness, a common wei ht associated with both mechanical connections, means for normally keeping the load of the weight off of of the weight, in combination with elec- "outlet of the phonograph tone arm, means for controlling the operation of the telephone instrument, means for controlling the operation of the phonograph instrument, a common weight coo erating with the controlled means of botih the telephone instrument vand the phonograph, for simultaneously effecting the o 'eration of both, when the weight is release ,means for normally maintainin the wei ht in restraint, and automatica y operabl e in the event of fire, electrical means, automatically operable in the event of fire, for releasing the weight, in

combination with means operable by the released weight for efiecting a local alarm.

9. An apparatus of the class. described embodying a phonogra h,'a normallyset brake associated therewit a telephone instrument ositioned with its transmitter in .00-

p onograph tone arm, a common weight, a cable secured to the weight and to the receiver hook of the telephone instrument, a

second cable securedto the weight and to the brake of the phonograph, an electromag-. net Lprovided with an armature having a sho der, a pivoted late associated with one of said cables an normally resting on the cables to simultaneously render the phonograph and telephone instrument operative.

10. An apparatus of the class described, embodying a phonograph, a normally set brake associated therewith, a telephone instrument positioned with its transmitter in cooperative relation to the sound outlet of the honograph tone arm, a common weight, a ca 1e secured to the weight and to the receiver hook of the telephone instrument, a second cable secured to the weight and to oplerative relation to the sound outlet of the izs the brake of the phonograph, an electromagnet provided with an armature having a shou der, a pivoted plate associated with one of said cab es and normally resting on the shoulder of said armature for the pu ose of carrying the load of the weight, so is lat the load of such weight is not operatively imposed upon s'aid cables, and an electric cir- 5 cuit associated with said electroma net and embodying thermostatic switches a apted to be automatically closed in the event of fire, for the purpose of releasing the pivoted plate and imposing the load thereof upon the 10 cables to simultaneously render the phonoph and telephone instrument operative, 1n combination with an electric circuitineluding an alarm and a switch positioned to be engaged by the released weight to com- 15 plete the alarm circuit.

11. Apparatus of the class described embodying a phonograph, a telephone instrument positioned with the transmitter thereof adjacent the outlet of the tone arm of the phone ra h, tension means associated with the te ep one instrument and weighted to lift the receiver hook of the telephone instru ment when the weight is imposed u n the; tension me'ans,means for-normally olding said wei ht in restraint, means for releasing the weig t, means also associated with the weight and o rable thereby to start the phonograph w en the weight is released, and z 

